Author's Note: I do not own the Walk Dead franchise other than Jason and the other original characters not on the show or comic.

This is a companion piece to the story Dying to Live .net/s/7535126/1/Dying_To_Live

These are the first two chapters, hope you enjoy.

05AUG10 0738

Awake, alert, and awaiting to reach my destination…shit, even though I'm heading home, I'm treating this like another SpecOp. I wonder how everyone else is handling the plane ride. Ahhh, doesn't matter now, almost back to Los Angeles, home sweet home. Rather be back in Afghanistan, hunting down those that wish to push extremist beliefs on those that want nothing to do with violence or the death of innocent lives. I'm sure my buddies will do fine without me, hope they save me some action when I get back in the game.

"Yo Blackburn."

"Well look who's up, didn't wake you from all that fidgeting I was doing did I?"

"No bro, just wondering if there were any updates on our ETA is all."

"Touchdown is about another thirty mikes, why do you wanna know?"

"I'm just curious is all."

"Sounds like there's something more to it than that to me, is there something on your mind?"

"Nah, but there is something on my nerves. This damn jet lag screwing with my biological clock. I'm gonna get a bit more shut eye."

"Roger, well I'll be reminiscing and checking out the view as you get your extra beauty sleep princess."

"Yeah, yeah, fuck you too Blackburn."

Huh, I think I really hurt Samson's feelings…oh well the tough bastard has gone through far worse than my sharp tongue. Samson, he's like a brother to me now that I think about it. Saved his ass more times than he can count…four times. Geez I really need to lay off of him, he's saved my ass just as much, maybe more. Can't imagine what things would be like if he wasn't such a helluva soldier. My god, look at that, feels good getting a warm welcome from the sunshine coming through the view port. Almost derails from the idea of how much I really wish I had time to change into civies rather than be stuck in my ACUs. God just looking around makes me feel uneasy, everyone a potential target once we reach the airport, because of what one might ask? Because we're in uniform, wearing the very thing that instills strength in my nation and her people. While at the same time, making us stick out to the enemy, wherever he was hiding. No time to get complacent Jason, complacency kills. Last thing you want now is some jihad asshole taking out one of your buddies… I'm not letting another Kabul happen again… Good, the airport is in sight, touch down is about ten seconds.

"Samson wake up, we've landed. Be ready to grab your gear and move out."

"What you didn't make me any breakfast? Alright well if that's the case, copy."

Gear, check,

Phone, Check

Wallet, Check

Alright, everything is a green light. Nothing wrong for preparing for any worse case scenario Jason, all it is is looking out for your battle buddies. So let's go Staff Sergeant Jason Blackburn, time to get you're game face on.